Ruby Dare Edwards Kilby

Ruby Dare Edwards Kilby, 94, passed away the evening of February 3, 2010 at Fitzgerald Health Center, Arbor Acres, following a long period of declining health. She was born January 12, 1916, in the Piney Creek community of Alleghany County to Maggie Clyde McMillan Edwards and Charles Thurmond Edwards, Sr. She was the second of eight children, all of whom worked their parents' farm growing up. She attended New Hope School-a one room school - for the early years and went on to graduate from Sparta High School. She initially worked in Radford, Virginia, in a black powder plant which supplied WWII guns and cannons. When the war ended she moved to North Wilkesboro, NC, where she met her future husband, Conrad Kilby. They were married in 1948 and she started her long career with the NC State Highway Commission, in the Right Away Department. More than thirty-five years later she retired. Mr. Kilby predeceased her in 1975. She remained in North Wilkesboro and did volunteer and church work at North Wilkesboro First Baptist Church where she was a member. She had brief returns to work at the Highway Department, however, in 1986, with the birth of her first grandchild, she decided to move to Winston-Salem and help rear her grandchildren. Knollwood Baptist Church became her church home and source of many lasting friendships. Ruby was also predeceased by 6 siblings-brothers Claude, Odell, C.T., Bobby Joe and sister, Anna Ruth (died as an infant) and beloved sister Jessie. Surviving are her daughter, Dr. Martha Simpson (husband, Dr. Thomas Simpson); grandsons, Allen T. Simpson of Wingate University and Charles E. Simpson of Furman University; granddaughter, Jacqueline Kilby Simpson of Winston-Salem; step-granddaughters, Stephanie Simpson and Janet Burton, both of Winston-Salem; brother Carroll Edwards of Maryland; sisters-in-law, Kathleen C. Edwards of Sparta, NC, Thelma K. Redman of Eden, NC, Fannie Ruth K. Foster of North Wilkesboro, NC, Ruby K. Melton of Bostic, NC, Ruth B. Kilby of Asheboro, NC; brother-in-law, Gwyn ""Shine"" Kilby of North Wilkesboro, NC; many nieces and nephews and extended family. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 8, 2010 at Mountlawn Memorial Park in North Wilkesboro with Dr. Kenneth J. Meyers officiating followed by a service of memory at Knollwood Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. There will be a reception for the family and friends following this service in the church dining room. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Arbor Acres-Resident Assistance Fund 1250 Arbor Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106 where she resided for the past almost five years, or to Knollwood Baptist Church Music Ministry, 330 Knollwood St., Winston-Salem, NC 27104. The family wishes to acknowledge, with deep gratitude, Lavonia Gibbs and the entire staff at Fitzgerald Health Center for the geniune loving care provided to Ruby while at Arbor Acres. Online condolences may sent to www.hayworth-miller.com.

Memorials:
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Arbor Acres-Resident Assistance Fund 1250 Arbor Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106 where she resided for the past almost five years, or to Knollwood Baptist Church Music Ministry, 330 Knollwood St., Winston-Salem, NC 27104.

Cemetery:
Mountlawn Memorial Park

Service:
Service at 11:00am on February 8, 2010 at Graveside Service at 02:00pm on February 8, 2010 at Knollwood Baptist Church